Celtic and Rangers hit with Scottish Cup stadium bans and compensation bill after Ibrox Old Firm disorder

Celtic and Rangers have both been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors following the disorder that marred their quarter-final meeting at Ibrox last season.

The two Glasgow clubs have also been hit with a £100,000 compensation bill, with the money to be paid to whichever team is drawn as the away side in their next respective home Scottish Cup fixtures.

The sanctions have been imposed by the Scottish FA following a disciplinary hearing into the scenes that unfolded after the final whistle of last season's quarter-final, which ended in dramatic fashion.

Rangers and Celtic fans storm on to the pitch during the March 8 derby at Ibrox. | SNS Group

It was one of the first Old Firm encounters in several years in which the visiting supporters were handed a full allocation, with around 7,000 Celtic fans inside the stadium.

The match itself finished goalless after 120 minutes, leaving the tie to be decided by a penalty shootout. Tomas Cvancara ultimately converted the decisive spot-kick as the visitors secured a 4-2 victory from the spot.

However, the celebrations and confrontation that followed the final whistle quickly descended into chaos. Members of ultras groups, the Union Bears and Green Brigade, became embroiled in disorder on the pitch, with police officers and stewards forced to intervene in an attempt to regain control.

The seriousness of the incident led to a major investigation, with specialist anti-terrorism officers among those involved in the probe. A number of arrests were subsequently made during early-morning raids in the aftermath of the match.

The Scottish football authorities have now confirmed that both clubs will face identical immediate sanctions. Under Rule 37, Celtic and Rangers must ensure their next home Scottish Cup fixture is played without fans inside the stadium.

A statement regarding both clubs read: “By unanimous decision, the Tribunal imposes the following sanctions under Rule 37:

“- In terms of Sanction (g), Orders that the Club’s next home Scottish Cup match be played behind closed doors;

“- In terms of Sanction (j), Orders that the Club make a compensatory payment of £100,000 to the away side drawn in respect of said next home Scottish Cup match, payment to be made within 30 days of completion of thematch;

“- In terms of Sanction (g), Orders on a suspended basis (active until the period ending at the conclusion of season 2027/28) that a further home Scottish Cup match for the Club be played behind closed doors, applicable only in the event of a further failure by the Club to ensure that its supporters do not engage in unacceptable conduct in respect of any Scottish Cup fixture during said period; and

“- In terms of Sanction (j), Orders on the same suspended basis (active until the period ending at the conclusion of season 2027/28) that the Club make a compensatory payment of £100,000 to the away side drawn in respect of said further home Scottish Cup match, payment to be made within 30 days of completion of the match, applicable only in the event of a further failure by the Club to ensure that its supporters do not engage in unacceptable conduct in respect of any Scottish Cup fixture during said period.”

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